At the time this article was
written Craig James was Second Clerk Assistant and Clerk of Committees of the
British Columbia Legislative Assembly

The Twelfth Annual Meeting of the
Canadian Council of Public Accounts Committees was held in St. John's,
Newfoundland from July 8 through July 11, 1990. Hosted by Loyola Hearn,
MHA, Chairman of the Newfoundland Standing Committee on Public Accounts and
President of the Council for 1989-90, the meetings were attended by 67 members
and associates from the federal, provincial and territorial parliaments in
Canada and from the state of New South Wales in Australia.

As a spoke in the wheel of the
financial cycle of government, public accounts committees attempt to ensure
that the money granted by the legislature is spent as authorized by the House.

These conferences enable the
participants to exchange information related to their respective committees,
develop principles upon which their committees function in relation to the
terms of reference bestowed upon them by the House and, discuss with
legislative auditors, who hold concurrent and separate meetings, issues
confronting their respective roles.

The continuing theme for this
year's meeting revolved around the Guidelines for Public Accounts Committees
in Canada. The document is the culmination of work performed by a
subcommittee of the Council over the past two years involving each public
accounts committee in the country. It was intended that the guidelines be made
available to each public accounts committee to implement insofar as their terms
of reference and established practice would allow. At the conclusion of this
year's meeting most delegates thought the Guidelines would be useful,
applied in whole or in part, in improving the effectiveness of public accounts
committees.

Each jurisdiction presented a brief
synopsis of events as they unfolded throughout the past year. The Yukon
presented a review of financial operations of Hyland Forest Products contained
in the committee's 1990 Report to the Legislative Assembly. Along with the
Report the Chairperson, Joyce Hayden, MLA presented a paper entitled A
Burning issue: Hyland Forest Products. Barry Pashak, MLA Chairperson
of the Alberta Public Accounts Committee distributed copies of Bill 215, Public
Accounts Committee Act along with excerpts from Hansard related to the
raising of procedural matters of the committee in the House under Oral Question
Period and excerpts, again from Hansard, related to second reading of Bill 215.
A review of the applicability of the Guidelines to the Alberta public
accounts committee was presented as well. Ontario, led by Ed Philip,
MPP, Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee presented a paper entitled, Discussion
paper on the Guidelines for Public Accounts Committees in Canada. The 29
page document reveals the extent to which the role of the Ontario Public
Accounts Committee has evolved over the years and the expectations the
committee has in relation to its ability to do its job.

A delegation from the New South
Wales Public Accounts Committee reviewed their procedural and administrative
mechanics. They indicated that they were much more successful in holding
government accountable due to legislation, passed in the early 1980s,
establishing parameters around which they work. Copies of Public Finance and
Audit Act 1983, no. 152 governing their authority were distributed.

Most delegates to the conference
contended that if public accounts committees in Canada are to become more
successful and meaningful, specific legislation similar to that involving New
South Wales, may be required. A more detailed study of the Australian approach
might result in dramatic improvements in the operation of public accounts
committees in Canada, ultimately ensuring a greater degree of accountability
and the effective, efficient and economical use of public money.

The Council Executive for 1990-91
include the Chairman of the Manitoba Public Accounts Committee as President;
the First Vice-President is Camille Theriault, MLA of the New Brunswick
Public Accounts Committee; the Second Vice-President is the Chairman of the
Public Accounts Committee in Ontario and; the Executive Secretary is the Clerk
of Committees and Second Clerk Assistant in the British Columbia Legislative
Assembly.